What began as a meeting between the two turned into a love story after years. She was famous, daughter of then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Bhavanam Venkatram, whereas he comes from a middle-class background.
But the couple believed they are destined to love each other forever and Dr Gurava Reddy smiles and sings, “Chalo Ek Bar Phir Se, Ajnabee Ban Jaye Ham Dono...”
The beginning of true
love story
“I remember the day I first saw her at her house, when I came to Hyderabad from Bapatla to receive my scholarship. It feels like just yesterday. It was in 1975. When I came to Hyderabad again in 1979, that is when my sister-in-law coveyed her feelings for me. It was love. Initially, I was scared, because there is a lot of disparity between us. But looking at her simplicity and her down-to-earth attitude, I also started liking her,” says the orthopaedic and chief joint replacement surgeon Dr Gurava Reddy.
Staying apart
For couples, who get along very well and love one another, everything conspires so that they cannot stay away from one another for long. These two doctors too truly could not bear to be apart. During their courtship period, Dr Gurava wrote countless letters to Bhavani. “We dated for almost seven years before marriage. That time we didn’t have telephone for communication. So, I wrote a letter every day for almost a year when I was in Delhi,” recalls Gurava Reddy.
Support from family
Luckily for them, their families were very supportive. “I loved him, I was sure of that then. I wanted to marry him and live happily ever after. I wrote a letter to my father and explained to him. And since we were relatives (my aunt and his uncle were married), our families accepted us and got us married,” shares Bhavani.
Poles apart
There’s no denying it: all couples fight. “We do fight but it is very minimal now. We are more mature. We do agree that arguments and fights are going to happen considering we are two different personalities but its important how we deal with it. If she is angry, it shows on her face. And I take the initiative to pacify her. We can’t be not talking to each other for more than 24 hours,” says Gurava Reddy adding, “I love to be in the company of 100 people and for her even two is a crowd.”
Partners, who work in similar jobs are more likely to work long hours and be more committed to their profession, but in case of Gurava Reddy and Bhavani, they think that working together can enhance mutual understanding of working conditions and bring a balance in their work-life. “She is my soul and being in the same professions its makes our work easier. She understands and can empathise with me. It is attractive to come home to someone who is the head of the household. I fail to understand, how on earth can someone live alone,” he says.
Keeping the flame alive
Does love lose its intensity with time? “I don’t think it does, or at least it doesn’t have to. We have been married for 30 years, and we still love each other intensely. It is more exciting, passionate and fulfilling all the time,” feels Gurava.
The couple believes the secret to their long married life is kindness, love and tolerance. “It is a beautiful feeling and we still feel for each other. Marriage is not an event, it is an institution, a process, and we need to nurture it on a regular basis to keep the fire alive. For instance, Bhavani knows that I love piano and for a very long time I was trying to learn but could not due to my busy schedule. So, this Valentine’s Day she got me a tutor. These small things make a lot of difference in relationship,” he says. Adding to this Bhavani says, “We are very romantic. We have had some wonderful holidays. Dr Gurava would often surprise me. For instance, the time when he gifted me an exclusive tennis court. I would love to fall in love with the same person again.”
Meaning of marriage
The couple have two children --- 27 year-old son Adarsh, an orthopaedic surgeon and 23-year-old Kavaya. They have been happily married to each other for the last 30 years.
“Today, after so many year of togetherness I can tell you that he is the most romantic person in the world,” she says adding, “If either of us ever reach home early, we feel lonely and start enquiring about the other. Filling the loneliness, completing each other - that is what means to be husband and wife for us.”